Pismo State Beach

Notice: There is a $10.00 fee for use of dump station facilities in most California State Parks. State Parks is partnering with Sani-Star, a provider of self-pay stations for sewage dumps, to secure the dump station and collect fees for use. Sani-Star accepts credit and debit cards right at the dump station.

Beginning June 1, 2021, Oceano Dunes District will be using Sani Star as our pumping fee concessionaire. All pumping, including Oceano Dunes SVRA at LeSage Drive and Pismo State Beach at North Beach campground, will be required to pay the $10.00 fee to Sani Star for use of the dump station. The new system only accepts credit cards, no cash will be accepted.

This Sani-Star partnership and new fee collection system will allow State Parks to control the sanitary dump station and prevent illegal use, in order to help us protect the environment. This partnership will assist State Parks in the recovery of rising fees from the sanitary and water districts and offset maintenance costs. This pay per use system allows us to continue with our low camping fees without assessing a dump fee applied to all campers, only those using the dump facilities will be affected.

COVID-19 Guidelines - (June 21, 2021)

Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health:
- Fully Vaccinated Persons: Face coverings are not required in public outdoor settings. For indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, all vaccinated individuals are to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Unvaccinated Persons: Face coverings are required in indoor public settings such as museums and visitor centers.
Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

Current Park Restrictions

This park unit is open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (Aug. 6, 2021)

What is open now?

Park Hours:
- Open to daily vehicle traffic between 7 a.m. and 1 hour after sunset.
- The new closing time aligns with other state park coastal units.
Camping:
- Inventory at Oceano Dunes SVRA has been increased to 150 camping units.
- Camping will be monitored and may incrementally be increased back to 500 units as park operations allow.
Visitation:
- State Parks is limiting the total daily allowed number in both park unites, to 1,000 “street legal” vehicles and 1,000 “Green Sticker” OHVs.
- Please note: There may be instances where the maximum allowance of vehicles will be met, and no further vehicles will be allowed to enter the beach due to the temporary capacity requirement. Daily visitation information is being posted on our Twitter and Facebook social media accounts.
OHV Rentals: OHV rental businesses are open.
Nighttime Riding: All vehicle activity is prohibited one hour after sunset with exception of visitors camping and traveling to/from their campsites and the park entrance; and emergency vehicles and authorized vehicles.

State Parks strongly advises the public to “Know Before You Go” and find out what services are available and what restrictions are in place at the park units. This is especially true for the SVRA. The dune sands have shifted, and topography has changed, creating a different terrain that riders and drivers will need to become familiar with to recreate responsibly.

All drivers are being asked to drive with care and provide shorebirds and pedestrians plenty of space as they enjoy the park. The speed limit on the beach is 15 miles per hour. For additional OHV tips, please visit RideSafelyCA.com.

Public Comments
Thank you for your feedback on the future of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). The department continues to receive significant public feedback on this popular outdoor destination. Although we may not be able to directly respond to each individual comment, all comments are taken seriously and will be considered in the management decisions for Oceano Dunes SVRA.

Phone Number

(805) 473-7220

Max. Trailer Lengths

Trailer: Up to 31 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 36 Feet

Park Hours

Pedestrian Day Use hours are from 6:00am-10:00pm.

Vehicle Day Use hours are from 7:00am - One Hour Past Sunset.

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs not allowed in Pismo Dune Preserve.

Driving Directions to Pismo SB

The beach is located in the town of Oceano off Highway 1.

View on Map

Camping and Lodging

Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.

Online Reservations

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access

TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding

DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching

OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Food Service
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible

Welcome to Pismo State Beach! Located along the beautiful Central Coast of California, Pismo State Beach has a pleasant year round climate making it ideal for outdoor recreation and exploring! Visitors at Pismo State Beach enjoy many diverse outdoor activites including: camping, surfing, swimming, fishing and bird watching. There are also walking trails along the coastal sand dune habitat and around the freshwater Oceano Lagoon. Be sure to stop by the Oceano Dunes District Vistor Center to learn about our free educational programs and don't miss the special opportunity to observe Western Monarch Butterflies in the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove (November-February)!

Day Use

Visitors wanting to access the beach by foot may park their vehicles in the lot located off of West Grand Avenue near Fin’s Bar & Grill Restaurant. A boardwalk to the beach and public restrooms are available for visitors.

Day use passes are $5.00 per vehicle entering the beach. Motor vehicles may access the beach at the end of West Grand Avenue located in Grover Beach. The speed limit on the beach is 15 MPH. It is strongly recommended that only those with four-wheel drive vehicles access the beach. If you are seeking information about off road recreation, please visit the Oceano Dunes SVRA website.

Campfires are allowed on the beach but must not be greater than three feet in diameter and two feet in height. Only wood and untreated wood products free of metal, petroleum products or other toxic substances shall be used. Fires must be fully extinguished with water and left exposed, never burried in sand.

Dogs are allowed on the beach and park trails but must be kept on a leash, not longer than six (6) feet, at all times. Dogs are not allowed at the Pismo Dune Preserve or at Oso Flaco Lake.

Camping

All camping reservations must be made online at Reserve California or by calling Reserve California at 1-800-444-7275 8:00am - 6:00pm Pacific Time (PT). Reservations are required during peak season and holiday weekends. Reservations may be made up to six (6) months in advance, but they must be made at least 48 hours prior to arrival. A maximum of two (2) licensed vehicles (including motorcycles, trailers and RVs) are allowed per campsite. Vehicles may be parked only in your assigned campsite. Check-out time is noon and check-in time is 2pm.

Both campgrounds within Pismo State Beach provide conventional amenities such restrooms, pay operated hot-showers, picnic tables and a camp fire ring. Firewood is available for sale at the Camp Host Campsites or by inquiring with park staff at the kiosk. Fee-based RV Dump Stations are located within the entrance to the North Beach Campground and at Le Sege Drive near the dirt parking lot at the Grande Avenue entrance to the Oceano Dunes SVRA. The price per campsite does not include the use of the dump station; the dump fee is $10 and is payable by credit card.

If you are seeking information about the primitive beach camping, please visit the Oceano Dunes SVRA Website.

For more details about camping at California State Parks, including cancellation and modification policies, please see the Camping Information Website.

North Beach Campground features tent camping facilities and a campfire center. There are no hook-up sites available in this campground. Visitors can access the beach from the campground and enjoy the the views along Carpenter Creek. The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is accessible from the campground. In the summer months, Jr. Ranger Programs and Campfire Programs are held at the campfire center. Click here to view a map of the North Beach Campground: North Beach Campground Map

Oceano Campground features both hook-up RV sites and tent camping sites. Visitors can access the beach from the campground, explore wildlife along a freshwater lagoon, and enjoy the Visitor Center. In the summer months, Jr. Ranger Programs and Campfire Programs are held at the campfire center. Click here to view a map of the North Beach Campground: Oceano Campground Map

Oceano Dunes District Visitor Center

Located at 555 Pier Avenue at the entrance to the Oceano Campground, the Oceano Dunes District Visitor Center is a one stop place to learn about the park and local area. Friendly staff and volunteers will help answer your questions about the park and local area. This interpretive center will introduce you to the history of the area, teach you about local wildlife and give you fun ideas for adventuring in the park! Kids can pick up an interpretive activity booklet.

Open Daily: Noon - 4:00 PM

Summer 2021 Interpretive Programs

Campfire Programs at the North Beach Campfire Center

Join State Park Interpreters around the campfire on Saturday nights for fun and interactive presentations about local wildlife and cultural topics. All ages welcome.

Junior Ranger Program

Children ages 7-12 are invited to become Jr. Rangers at Pismo State Beach! Join our Interpretive Park Rangers for fun activities as you learn about the outdoors! At your first Junior Ranger program you will get a logbook and badge. Programs are offered in the Oceano Campground Campfire Center and the North Beach Campfire Center on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30am.

Virtual Program Alternatives

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oceano Dunes District Interperters have adapted learning materials to be accesible online in digital formats. For links to our recorded Junior Ranger, Little Ranger, and Campfire Program Videos, please visit our District YouTube Channel and visit our Education Programs Page for handouts and online material to print at home for your children.

Become a Discovery Agent

Help Secret Agent Bill the Beaver on his mission to discover the Oceano Lagoon at Pismo State Beach. Download the Agents of Discovery App on your smartphone or tablet and select the Oceano Lagoon mission!

The App is FREE and does not require WiFi or cellular data to play once installed! Agents of Discovery is an augmented reality App that allows users to independently explore the park through playing interactive games and triva. At the park, users are able to search for challenges and answer questions about wildlife and the cultural history of the Northern Chumash Native Americans.

Additional Visitor Services

Sani-Star, LLC. (Automated RV Dump Fee Collection System in North Beach Campground)

Special Events/Film Permits
Special events require an advanced permit through the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Please contact the district office for more information.

Accessibility

There are ADA accessible restrooms at Grand Avenue and Pier Avenue beach access ramps. Sand wheel chairs are available at all park entrance stations free of charge, on a first come first serve basis. California State Parks supports equal access. Visitors who need assistance should contact the Oceano Dunes District Ranger Station at (805) 473-7220 or 711 TYY relay service prior to arrival.